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 oversees some of the industry’s best. A longtime video and branded content producer in the media world, Grossman immersed herself in podcasts by producing a widely circulated episode of The Cut’s podcast titled “

”, about her personal experience coming to terms with the body changes many of us went through during the pandemic. By detailing her own story as well as interviewing others with uncommon vulnerability, Gaby connected with the medium, and rose up the ranks at Vox Media (of which 

But career progress doesn’t happen in a vacuum, and Gaby has worked hard to maintain a flourishing professional life without sacrificing social and personal outlets. A stint in LA during the pandemic while still working on EST meant she was waking up at 6 am and answering emails still bleary-eyed from sleep. That was unsustainable, and now back in New York Gaby makes sure she creates key moments of separation between regular life and work, especially when both are centered in her Brooklyn apartment. (Vox has a flexible, WFH or hybrid policy.)

We caught up over the phone to discuss the difference between taking a trip and taking a true vacation, the little rituals that separate your home as a workspace from a place of relaxation, and why it’s crucial to have friends outside your profession.

It’s good to say, “Okay, the workday is done. It’s time to feel different, it’s time to look different.

Shift out of work mode with a physical change: 

I live in a one-bedroom apartment and my desk is my couch is my TV watching is my delivery-eating. It’s all one space, so I try and immediately put my laptop away. Even if something comes up and I have to do something later, or for pleasure I want to look at something, it just needs to go away the minute I’m done working. That’s a little bit of a separation, trying to get everything work-related out of the space.

It’s important to not be stagnant and sitting in one place at home. I try to punctuate the day with a walk or going out to do something or even a shower if I’ve been sitting in sweats all day working. It’s good to say, “Okay, the workday is done. It’s time to feel different, it’s time to look different.” Any concrete action to feel a separation between working at home and living and chilling at home is super important for me.

If your work is something you love, make sure to keep your fandom alive: 

I work in podcasts that are a little bit more utilitarian, they have a purpose. In my private life, I listen to podcasts that are not like that at all. The two I listen to the most are Seek Treatment with Cat Cohen and Pat Reagan and Doughboys with Mike Mitchell and Nick Wiger. Those are both silly, hilarious, like, crack-up in the middle of the subway type shows that just feel like hanging out with your friends. When I’m listening for work [it’s] to hear about the competitive landscape; that’s not really what I’m listening to for pleasure. It’s completely different in my head.

Maintain balance with relationships outside your industry bubble: 

I definitely have friends in a bunch of different fields…I’m drawn to people who have similar careers in the sense that they’re very ambitious and passionate about what they do and then I have friends from college and from working in media where it’s truly very similar fields. Socially, if someone has a problem they want to work through or they need to vent about something that happened then it comes up, but everyone’s schedules are so busy and it’s hard to get time together, so once you get a whole big crew together, we try to kinda leave work at the door.

With friends [in other fields], it’s nice because they’re not gonna know the intricacies of your workplace or your industry, but when you explain [a situation] to them, they add a layer of objectivity and help you zoom out and realize, “Oh, maybe this frustration isn’t as big of a deal as it felt like,” or, “Maybe there’s a more simple solution that it took my friend to figure out because her head is not so deep in the weeds like mine is.”

When things feel stressful, back up and breathe: 

I try to remember a catchphrase that a friend taught me, which is, “It’s PR, not the ER,” meaning ultimately there is no huge life or death emergency. Everything will be okay. If you’re someone who’s ambitious and tends to be hard on yourself and you’re sitting alone in your own echochamber, it feels more intense than it is. I try to talk to someone who can help me get some perspective on the situation and try to remember to breathe.

Take advantage of opportunities to get out and enjoy life—without work at the back of your mind:

I’m a big concert person. This summer I spent a lot of time at Brooklyn Mirage and Elsewhere. I really like Brooklyn Steel as well. Going to a concert is such a fun experience even on a weeknight, because I’m truly in it. I’m not looking at my phone, I’m not thinking about other things. One of the coolest things about living in New York is that you have so much access. Every band comes to New York, every musical artist. Everyone you want to see is there and there's no shortage of opportunities, whether it’s big world-class acts you’ve been dying to see or smaller things, like random, my-friend-has-an-extra-ticket-type events.

Taking a break and going on a trip is something I really enjoy. And traveling for other people’s weddings and family events is not vacation, so when you travel, make some time for yourself along the way. That's been a big self-preservation piece for me. So many people had COVID catch-up weddings this year and it’s so much fun, but if you’re doing activities the entire time and celebrating other people and overconsuming alcohol, having a good time, you’re gonna come home really tired. Tacking on an extra day for recovery has been huge for me.

New York Mag’s Podcast Manager on Perspective and Pleasure 

If you could visualize what makes up your job satisfaction as one big fall-inspired, metaphorical pumpkin pie, what would all the slices represent? What you 

do day-to-day might be a large one; the impact your job has in the world could be another; maybe your salary package is a big slice of the pie (but not as big as you’d like!). Another important piece is the overall experience of being an employee in the workplace—the connections made with coworkers, leadership’s investment in your professional and personal development, and job perks and amenities.

But what if that overall workplace experience needs a refresh? We hit inboxes, office elevators, Slack channels, and the awkward five minutes before everyone joins a Zoom meeting to round up some key signs that your workplace experience could use a boost.

1. Your Glassdoor reviews aren’t even close to five stars

When issues arise in your workplace, do employees feel like there are accessible avenues to address them? Cultivating a proactive environment around resolving conflicts is critical to employee wellbeing. Feeling like your concerns are being 

 means that, as a worker, you’re (probably) less likely to express frustration with company values, managers, and culture online. If your company’s Glassdoor reviews are reading like a high school burn book, the writing’s on the virtual wall.

 (and even your office not-really-BFFs) is an important piece of the puzzle when it comes to your overall work experience. If your coworkers aren’t even turning up to take advantage of the two-for-one company sponsored margaritas, it’s a good indication that people might be feeling disconnected and unengaged. 

 that social connections are one of the greatest predictors of happiness and reduced stress—so cultivating a work environment where 

Having your hard work acknowledged goes a long way toward making any employee’s work experience meaningful.

Are crickets chirping over your team’s social Slack channels? If even your funniest memes aren’t getting so much as a laugh react, it might be a sign that community spirit is sadly lacking. You and your colleagues deserve to be part of a group of people who are invested in each other’s professional and personal lives. At the very least, you’re warranted an up-to-par reaction to your very curated 

4. Your holiday gift is a company drink koozie

Appreciation for the work you and your colleagues have done throughout the year can come in all shapes and sizes. But getting leftover merch from the last sales retreat for your annual staff gift is about as thoughtful as stale donuts. In contrast, a quick shout-out from leadership in the last five minutes of a Zoom meeting, an all-staff email from your supervisor highlighting your team’s recent project win, or a thoughtful (not flimsy) gift from your manager demonstrates you are genuinely valued. And having your hard work acknowledged goes a long way toward making any employee’s work experience meaningful.

5. The last team event was a mandatory IT training

Now don’t get us wrong, cyber security is critical, but team events should be accomplishing more than just reminding us not to click links from random senders. (But yeah, please don’t do that.) Creating moments of togetherness outside the usual 9-to-5 agenda strengthens connections, communication, and is also just way more fun. 

If your company’s creativity in the activities department is drier than a pile of autumn leaves, take some inspo: Try programming to keep teams culturally inspired (how about a trip to a new gallery opening?); or socially connected (with a team apple picking day, hello bonding opp); or taken care of with a self-care moment (WFH yoga, anyone?).

Sometimes it’s the little things that mean the most! Having a kitchen stocked with 

, actually drinkable coffee, and energy-boosting treats makes a difference in the sometimes hum-drum routine of the day. Besides literally fueling people at work, the pantry or coffee station is a highly effective gathering spot, conversation-starter, and tangible perk—whether you’re coming back into the office full-time, a couple days a week, or only on two-for-one margs days.

6 Signs Your Workplace Experience Is Ready for an Upgrade

The modern work landscape is continuously shifting, and so has our understanding of how to be people in the workplace. If you’re wading through changing, complicated notions of ambition, purpose, and priorities, you’re far from alone. As always, culture reflects our lived experiences, and looking to art and entertainment can tell us a little bit about what work-life feels like in this moment. In the spirit of crystal-ball gazing, we’ve rounded up some recent pop-culture releases that are on the pulse of what it’s like to be at work right now—and where it might be headed next.

Is Beyoncé fueling the Great Resignation with her latest single? When she released the first hit off her 

 album this summer, rumors of people quitting their jobs, inspired by Queen B, swirled online. Digging a little deeper, perhaps the song speaks to our collective frustrations about job conditions that no longer serve our mental health. If you’ve ever related to the lyric, “And they work my nerves/That's why I cannot sleep at night,” you know the power of moving on from an unhealthy work environment.

 With so many workers at a breaking point, employers face an urgent call to put care into practice…or risk seeing their MVPs release their jobs. (As soon as they’ve secured their Beyoncé tour tickets, of course).

The conversation around switching to mostly-hybrid work has been missing one crucial piece—office gossip. Pulling aside your work BFF to share some (harmless) workplace drama just isn’t as fun over Slack. Enter the 

 podcast: Each episode, host Kelsey McKinney delivers to her guest a piece of juicy but totally innocuous gossip from and about perfectly ordinary strangers. It’s the ideal way to get the fix you’ve been missing.

 Social connections with colleagues are essential, especially in our increasingly digital workspaces. And intentional non-work talk can go a long way to combat screen drain or Slack fatigue. Try bonding over some celebrity goss for a little spark, or casually share some light-and-fun personal news to loosen things up.

follows Carmy, a fine dining chef, trying to make good in his family’s Italian beef sandwich shop. Showcasing in intimate detail the chaos, anxiety, sweat, and high intensity in the behind-the-scenes world of hospitality, 

 also spotlights a group of coworkers who care for and support each other. Conflicts arise, personal issues sometimes overshadow the work—but the crew believe in the job at hand and in each other.

Ultimately, goodness (and really great beef sandwiches) prevails when coworkers show up for each other. How can employers create an environment where team members are given space to build strong relationships, and can rely on managers for support and encouragement?

Edward Enninful is no stranger to breaking down barriers. As the first Black editor-in-chief of 

, Enninful has spotlighted inclusion and held up a mirror to the fashion industry’s failures. He’s also created some of fashion’s most iconic and memorable moments, like putting civil rights activists on the cover of 

, and championing designers and photographers of color. Enninful’s new memoir is an inspirational story of a visionary and singular career.

 As discussions around how to build more equitable workplaces continue to evolve, employers who aren’t making it a priority to uplift a spectrum of under-acknowledged voices and talents are missing the moment. Take note, recognition and belonging are pivotal themes in the future of work—starting now.

Aspiring creatives are often told to build personal brands to boost potential career prospects—but in doing so, are we becoming people that we don’t recognize? In the recently released black comedy, 

, Danni Sanders (Zoey Deutch), a struggling writer and influencer, gains a career boost and viral social media following by posing as a survivor of a tragedy. This movie is a dark, satirical take on our collective obsession with centering ourselves in the narrative.

 pokes fun at the creative industry’s fixation with chasing influence, and its (at times) total disregard for authenticity—but bringing your full human self to work isn't always easy. As we’ve collectively shifted toward striving a little less (see “Break My Soul”), we’re all craving a work experience that’s less performative, more genuine; less transactional, and more about actual connection.

5 Pop Culture Moments That Epitomize Work Life Right Now

There are few things more difficult in a workday than getting through the 2 to 3 pm slump. You’ve already eaten lunch, you’re facing down a few more hours of meetings, and everyone around you is hitting the sleepiest (read: grumpiest) hours of the day. When you’re sitting there thinking, “How am I going to make it?” remember this tried and true solution to midday ennui: a little sugar rush. To power you through the afternoon doldrums, we’ve rounded up a variety of sweet snacks to turn to—whether your mood is mildly annoyed or totally hellish.

Lemon and lime. Bread and butter. Thelma and Louise. Some partnerships stand the test of time. Give into the forever-seductive duo of chocolate and peanut butter with 

Unreal Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups 

). Sometimes in the office you need a reminder that working together can really 

If you’re looking for the sweetest sweet you can imagine

When your breaking point might actually be this meeting running 30 minutes long with no sign of ending… silently leave the room and come back with some

). Sure, Milk Bar can be a little too trendy for its own good. But the cookies' weirdo flavors, like Cornflake Chocolate Chip Marshmallow and Pancake, are strangely wonderful. Pair with a glass of oat milk to satisfy a much-needed sugar hit.

Breaking the ice can be as easy as breaking out a bag of 

). They’re fun, cute, and, most importantly, shareable. Charming your deskmates and drumming up a convo with these gummies can swim you right out of the post-lunch funk. With just 3 grams of sugar and 100 calories, no added or artificial sweeteners, and a dose of plant fiber, no need to worry about crashing either. 

There’s always one person in every office who skips in at 8 am, somehow having already worked out, and is way more chipper than everyone else. And that person is always eating a breakfast/protein/snack bar. Channel some of their sunshine with a 

) that’ll fight the midday clouds with the ideal mix of sweet and salty.

tends to bring out the inner child in all of us. A little chocolate, a little biscuit, a lot of joy added to your day. When the clock is ticking painfully slowly, hold onto the childlike wonder that Pocky can inspire—and marvel at the universal truth that eating one package of them takes like 15 minutes for some reason.

What is sweetness without the balance of sour? Okay it can be pretty great based on the treats above, but the contrast between the two taste profiles is famously beloved. If you're a fan, try 

Perfect if you don’t want to be known purely as the office sweetie, but it’s like…you 

 want everyone to know you have good taste in candy.

Sometimes putting on some headphones, heading to a corner, and getting your work done solo is the only way to get through the rest of the day. When you’re ready to post up on your own, bring a solid, stands-on-its-own 

). One thing done well—a perfectly balanced chocolate bar—is always going to be better than a bunch of things done half-assed (or a meh candy bar you grabbed in a panic at the deli next door). 


7 Sweet Snacks That Make a Perfect Afternoon Work Treat 

When you think of perks at work, you probably think about the dot-com-boom foosball table and donuts in the kitchen, or today’s startup Topo Chico on tap and a private T-Pain concert at the company retreat. And while some donuts are better than no donuts, which of those add-ons really make an impact on employee happiness in our current work environment? (Note, I’m talking “extras” that are the icing on top of the 

 workers are looking for.) I searched the web, talked to colleagues, and polled my friends to round up a few of the work perks that really do make a difference.

A recurring and unsurprising theme is that people 

 care about the food in their office. From Google’s cafeteria to Buzzfeed’s catered lunches, consistently having a good meal at work can be a huge part of employee satisfaction. “Sony’s free lunch program helps me save a ton of money on food. I work in an expensive area and live relatively far from my office, so buying or bringing lunch every day isn’t always an option,” says Elli Hu, an employee at the company’s New York offices. “The cafe in the office is also subsidized. I can get a coffee and balanced, filling breakfast for under $10. There are plenty of snack options available as well, such as fresh fruit, granola bars, chips, and pastries.”

Programming opps (for both business and pleasure)

In my own work experience, I loved taking advantage of a learning-stipend perk. Through my current job at New Stand, I was able to find and take a class on data analytics outside of work hours. To learn about something related to my job—but that I wouldn’t have necessarily learned through my day to day work—reflected a reciprocal investment between me and my company. When employees have opportunities to learn new skills and information, they bring that knowledge back to the org. A win-win for everyone involved!

Of course, most people want more out of their week than just work-work-work. And while we all obviously all have lives outside of our day jobs, carving out time 

 9 am and 5 pm for some extracurricular fun can be a great way to inject life back into a less-engaged team. Events can be as simple and cheerful as an ice cream social or a lemonade-and-games popup in the office lobby. Or, try something as hands-on and creative as an online cooking class. (The results of New Stand’s recent scallion pancake-making session were unanimously delicious.)

Despite these examples, programming doesn’t have to be food-focused, but as noted above, people 

 love free food… Some other tips: Go for activities that bring people together, start by holding events during work hours (a collective break in the day can feel like a perk in itself), and always allow team members to opt out. Planned fun, yes; forced fun, no thanks.

When a company shows they care about the community they’re a part of, it can make employees feel seen as human beings who care about their personal and collective impact, too. Naturally, most people don’t feel good about working at a soulless corporation. So being part of the greater good goes a long way. And it makes sense then that philanthropic opps are often popular at work. Promoting volunteer activity within your org can even help increase employee 

While you’ve likely seen photos of beaming teams in matching t-shirts after helping out at a soup kitchen or completing a fundraiser 5K together, companies can encourage individual efforts, too. At 

 employees get one day off—separate from their own PTO—to volunteer as they choose. Other companies offer matching programs for charitable donations. Employers can also build meaningful relationships with local small businesses and nonprofits as vendors and partners. See: the snack brands in your office, employee perks programs (such as with nearby fitness studios), and gathering spaces (from corporate events to team dinners).

What would you prefer: a cheap, company-logo string backpack or an insulated, brand-name water bottle you could take on your commute?

There’s a big difference between a throwaway freebie that checks off the “employee gift” box and something considered and useful (and nice enough that you really 

 to use it). Not only does a practical, high-quality gift do its job of showing genuine appreciation, but it also makes the employer look like it knows what’s up in the eyes of employees.

Big points for sending folks home with, say, a sturdy tote bag with a cool enough design that they would’ve bought it in real life. Or comfy slide sandals for WFH days. Or a box of treats and trinkets for a better workday: a fancy hand lotion, boutique-brand desk candle, and a stylish notebook for new ideas. Company swag should be all about helping your employees get through their day and elevate, enhance, or ease their work-life experience.

Workplace Perks That Employees Actually Want

Too many managers spend their days focused on hitting quotas or pointless process, or obsessively 

. But when they’re not scrambling on projects for 

 boss, your boss is meant to guide and help solve problems for you and their other reports. And most of us have a Niagara Falls-extensive list of things we wish they’d actually do something about (thanks for the daily reminders to take the company’s security training, though!).

They might not have immediate powers to make major overhauls without a green light from higher-ups, but there are more accessible ways most managers can help improve their team members’ work lives. Below are five hot-topic issues employees are shouting—over the internet, where else—for their bosses to pay attention to. Take notes if you’re in the position to support your people in these ways, or “accidentally” drop this link to your manager during your next 1:1.

There’s no question that most people who can do their jobs at least somewhat virtually benefit from 

 in terms of work hours and location. And 

 most important leadership skill. Name an employee that doesn’t have school pick-up, medical appointments, therapy, pets, deliveries, or urgent home maintenance to deal with, at some point, between 9 am and 5 pm—we’ll wait. Plus, of course, people work better based on different factors like environment and time of day.

Managers: Cultivate an ethos of understanding and self-responsibility when it comes to your team’s time and work, and advocate for their hybrid-operating needs. As the internet loves to point out, micromanaging people’s time is the definition of having no chill. Getting clear on the 

, setting expectations, then letting individuals make their own choices in how they get there, empowers them to work in a way that, you know, works for them (and in turn increases employee 

productivity, satisfaction, and retention

While we’re living for the enthusiasm around better benefits in this current labor moment—yes, we absolutely will take those subsidized healthcare premiums, TYSM—the consensus, not surprisingly, is that soft perks like fancy seltzer and fitness-class stipends shouldn’t be lumped in as subs for compensation. Per the internet (and common sense), we’re literally all here for a paycheck. Sure, there are tons of reasons people love their jobs, but uh, have you met⁠ 

? So we’ll gratefully take the branded dad hat, but about that raise…

If you’re part of that process as a manager, don’t dance around it. Have regular convos about progress and performance, and get honest and specific about raise requirements like taking on additional 

. If the company has the means to increase pay (spoiler: they likely do), fight for your team. If you get dead-ended, be transparent with the employee and help them set up a game plan for moving forward. Just don’t expect them to work above their 

How you talk about personal values hits deep

Like we said, there’s more that goes into choosing and staying at a job than 

 money. If you’ve even glanced at the internet lately, you know that social issues are colliding with the workplace in

ways that affect pretty much all of us who show up to one. All eyes may be on major corporations as they take a stance on public issues like 

 company’s messaging around beliefs that are meaningful to them even more closely.

Part of the culture you help create as a manager is expressing people-first values, and putting them into practice. When it comes to attitudes like nurturing an inclusive workplace, your reports look to you as an example of thoughtful leadership and care. Empathy and active listening make a huge difference, as does seeking out solutions that make people feel seen. Start by getting educated on topics that may affect team members, such as equitable accessibility. Remember, employees don't leave jobs, they leave (problematic) managers.  

 if you will, but workers can’t stop sounding off about bosses who obliterate healthy boundaries around vacation, personal time, and sick days. People managers, check yourself when it comes to the precedent you’re setting with your own time off: Are you checking emails post-surgery, chiming in from your honeymoon, or apologizing for taking off for a family emergency? Are you demanding an 

 for time-off requests or pinging “offline” team members? 

 for your employees! We hate (actually, love) to inform you that this behavior is simply, not it. 

 and collaborative accountability with your team, and next time they take a well-earned vacay, maybe they’ll bring back the good duty-free chocolate.

 goes without saying, except that the internet continues to have to call it out. Don’t forget that in the day-to-day frenzy of deliverables, project reviews, and constructive criticism (a classic), positive feedback can make your team’s at-work experience feel so much 

. Social media may be a death spiral of content about burnout and job insecurity, but real-life recognition can help us all feel a little more validated in our work. I mean, managers, is there anything better than a thank you for being a decent boss? We’re not crying…

The Work Topics Employees Wish Managers Would Pay Attention To 

Staring down the bagged snacks aisle at my local Korean supermarket on a recent Sunday, I weighed which would be worth taking home for tasty WFH sustenance, or flaunting at my desk during in-office days. I spent a surprising amount of time contemplating which would be “work appropriate” given my office’s implicit etiquette of a clean and somewhat sparse desk. I also still possess some anxiety around bringing food from home into work. Growing up Chinese-American, I learned early on that some food types are easier to just keep out of the lunchbox—acquired tastes, “unusual” (read: non-Western) ingredients, and pungent smells.

But now that everyone’s either a low-key or bonafide foodie, I suspect that the more foreign the snack, the more heads it will turn at the office, in a good way. So here are 10 Asian supermarket snacks I’ve discovered recently—as well as some rediscoveries from childhood—that not only pass the taste test, but are also fun to eat. (Note: The Asian foodscape offers plenty of health-conscious options, but these aren’t them.) Spice up your rotation of bland go-tos, ignore the bowl of waxy apples in the office kitchen, and put the Takis down (briefly) to take these packaged flavor escapes for a spin.

Back in 2015, these chips were so popular that they gave rise to their 

 and about a bazillion competitor spin-offs. Thankfully the hype has died down, and the original, much-sought-after Calbee iteration is well-stocked on grocers’ shelves. I personally don’t get much honey nor butter flavor from these, but an almost cheesy sensation. Imagine potato gratin as a chip. Plain Lay’s? Don’t know her.

Imagine a chocolate-covered almond. Now imagine replacing the chocolate with a magical casing that’s a stunning facsimile for milk tea instead. Boba fiends take note: These taste exactly as promised. Frankly, I’d hide them in a drawer; there’s a high chance these treat-yourself nuts will disappear from your desk.

Run, don’t walk, to grab these if you’re a fan of Pirate’s Booty. These are, in a word, a bougier version. You still get a puff dusted with satisfying cheese dust, except that dust is gorgonzola (supposedly). I also find the irregularly shaped puffs to be—stay with me—a cleaner, more work-friendly eating experience. No idea if it’s the shape or the powder recipe, but you can eat a few without a coating of flavor stuck to your fingers/keyboard. (Tip: Chopsticks work too.)

Tteokbokki is a savory Korean rice cake dish simmered in a gochujang sauce. You’ve probably seen these red logs at a KBBQ group dinner, or on virtually every Korean restaurant’s takeout menu. These chips are a fun take on the real deal. Each bite is equal parts crunchy, sweet-savory, and spicy. (They’re made with actual Korean hot pepper powder.) Given they’re a relatively loud snack, pop a bag of these to break up an hours-long stretch of sitting at your bedroom desk.

If you still want to try a chip designed to taste like a real dish, but without the spice, the honey-butter masterminds at Calbee have also concocted a puffed corn chip designed to taste like takoyaki (octopus-filled, savory Japanese doughnuts). I found their “dust” recipe of seaweed, onion, garlic, and paprika powders to be surprisingly convincing and definitely addictive, if not entirely accurate.

I love the sinus burn of wasabi. And this classic snack does not disappoint. Whether you like to eat small, crunchy things by the handful or one-by-one, the burn will sneak up on you, so be prepared to brush off an unexpected sneeze if you’re eating these in the office. On the other hand, they’re a handy wake-up aid when you’re about to doze off mid-meeting.

Once all of the assorted bags were opened, I found myself reaching back for these crunchy twists the most.

If the wasabi peas were a level 8 burn, these would be a 3. The kick actually takes a couple chews to sneak up on you. Upon first bite, the flavor profile also leans much more toward roasted seaweed, in a tasty sweet-savory way. Once all of the assorted bags on this list were opened (such a brave assignment), I found myself reaching back for these crunchy twists the most.

The nutty, roasted rice flavor of these crackers is pure nostalgia for me. Toasty, seaweed-y, and very, very crunchy, I suggest washing these down with some green (or oolong if you’re feeling fancy) tea for an afternoon pick-me-up. They do 

pack a crunch, so consider munching on these to drown out a webinar or a rambling coworker.

Growing up, it took me a while to wrap my head around sweet beans as a dessert, but once I did, I would beg my mom to buy me these chewy, sweet morsels of deliciousness every week at the Chinese supermarket. The packaging makes it tough to casually open these without fielding a litany of questions, so plan to bring a second package to share around.

As far as Asian-imported chips are concerned, these are, without question, the GOAT. They’re crunchy in a light, airy way. They’re shrimpy in a fun, salty way. And they’re impossible not to become obsessed with. Try rolling up the bag and putting them away, only to dive back in a few minutes later. Proceed with caution. Or throw it to the wind. They do smell seafood-y (not as strongly as say, microwaved salmon, but seat-mates will definitely catch a whiff), so snack with whatever discretion that calls for to you.

10 Asian Supermarket Finds That Make Great Office Snacks 

Being a mom means playing many roles, but the last couple of years of pandemic parenting have been a whole new ballgame. As the boundaries between work and life become more blurred in our virtual-first, work-from-anywhere reality, parenting has also changed. We talked to working moms about what it’s really like being a mother right now and how they’re redefining work-life balance. Spoiler: Yes, there’s poop.

Lacey Gutekunst
Chief of Staff, Museum of Women

 is blasting in the background as I negotiate contracts or am giving a presentation and breastfeeding at the same time."

"Some days you'll be working until 9 pm and the kids are eating stale chips. Other days, you're making roasted veggies and sous vide chicken (and they wish they had stale chips!). The most important thing? Try to live a life without guilt. It's hard but so worth it.”

Jessica Torres Cooper
Editorial Director, Hearst Magazines

"A close friend told me: ‘As working moms, we are constantly juggling. But every juggler drops a ball once in a while. The key is knowing what’s a glass ball and which are plastic.’"

Barbara Mortimer
Senior Product Manager, New Stand

"I gave birth during the pandemic and have approached work differently since becoming a new mom. I am more creative, more empathetic, more thorough. I want to be my daughter’s role model."

Staci Bush
Former Executive Director of Medical Affairs

"When I adopted my daughter, my priorities changed. One day I realized my heart had jumped out of my body and was crawling on the floor. But as mothers, we have to put our own masks on first. A little self-care. That 90-minute massage makes me a better mother for 90 days."

Erika Velazquez
Head of Marketing, New Stand

"There have been so many moments where mom life and work life have blended together! Most recently it was probably my potty-training toddler shouting how proud he was of pooping in the potty while I was dialed into an internal cross-functional meeting."

Jossy Lee
MIT-trained Innovator & Creator of Mommy Goes To Work

"The pandemic has strengthened my ability to switch from one task to another—from personal to professional. From changing my son’s last-minute diaper to hosting a virtual board meeting (yeah, those things happened within moments of each other)."

What It’s Really Like Being a Working Mom Right Now

Within the chaotic content mix TikTok is known for, one corner of the app that’s blown up over the past two years is #corporatehumor. Thanks in large part to the shift for millions of people to remote work, users today can tap into an endless waterfall of relatable, head-shaking humor about the ups and downs of corporate culture and working from home. Too-real observations like Gen Z’s extremely casual approach to 

 faced by Black employees, and the day-to-day fallout of the 

 now make up their own super-popular niche.

In some ways, the genre is a response to the newer struggles that’ve come with paying the bills during a global pandemic, and in others, it feels like the culmination of the long, slow burn of workers growing fed up with the status quo. On top of being a way to vent and connect, these quick-hit clips also have payoff potential. The creator 

, one of the earliest in the category to go viral—for his portrayal of being a 

 in a desk job—has racked up 1.4 million followers and paid partnerships with brands like SpaghettiOs and Dr. Pepper.

So for the micro-influencers actually churning out these videos, what it’s like mining their day job for content, and is it problematic when coworkers find their account? To find out, I asked three #worktok creators about life behind the For You page.

How did you get started as a creator—or, to quote the viral Cardi B 

) began his TikTok as a foodie account highlighting his favorite local D.C.-area restaurants in 2020: “I started it as a way to support small businesses during lockdown. Then I saw the trend of corporate humor, and it was such a good way of poking fun at those moments at work when you’re like, ‘This would be hilarious if it wasn’t so sad!’”

), TikTok was a way to keep her growing comedy career alive while working her day job from home: “I was a comedian before TikTok, but the pandemic brought me online—with live stages not being open, I started posting a lot more. Work-related jokes have always been a sweet spot for me. Not all comedians have corporate jobs, and I was able to speak to these really relatable moments firsthand.”

) had been scrolling for a few years before he decided to start posting his own content in late 2021: “I came across people like 

, and it was so funny and relatable. I thought I could try my hand at it. My first videos were really random, but those work ones gained a lot of traction.”

 going, and how awkward is it when your coworkers find your account?

: “I have a full-time role in marketing that includes social media management, and I partly got the job because I have experience creating video and short-form content. I love my job right now, and my boss is fully aware of my account. There are some things I might poke fun at, but a lot of what I’m putting out there is based on old jobs or these universal experiences we all have.”

: “A few people at work do know about [my TikTok presence], but I kind of ask them to keep it on the down-low. I recently started and my new company has been awesome, so I want to make sure people know a lot of my material is about older experiences or talking to friends. I’m treading water carefully on that front. Having a social media presence in addition to my professional life is a bit of a challenge since all of this is so new to me!”

: “I work at the Semel Institute of Neuroscience at UCLA, and my job really is very gratifying but it’s very administrative, so having a way to express my creative self is huge. The most important thing I try to convey to my colleagues is that I’m a comedian, so everything is blown way out of the water to be funnier. I’m not walking around with a notebook spying on everyone.”

How do you manage making content so it doesn’t take over your personal life? And how do you decide what to post?

: “If there’s something I’m really, really excited about, I’ll just make it quickly and post it. It doesn’t take up too much of my time. I would say less than 10 hours a week. Honestly I lose more hours scrolling! It’s not even the posting that’s a problem.”

: “I make time during the weekend to film a bunch of content. I spoof off a lot of trending sounds, whatever is hot right now, so I’ll listen to a sound over and over again and then sometimes I get random ideas in the shower. I’ll create a draft that’s just my face with text over it and go back and remake it as a video later.”

The algorithm is all over the place, especially lately, and it’s evolving every day. Sometimes I post something and I’m like, ‘this is so hilarious, it’s totally relatable,’ and it flops. Other times something random will take off. It’s hard to gauge, so you have to just put things out there.”

The intergenerational office dynamic is a frequent setup on #worktok. How does that resonate with you? Do you think younger generations are changing workplace culture?

: “[Work culture] is so different now than before the pandemic; there’s also been a difference for me between working in my early 20s and in my late 20s. [My views have changed on] how to be authentic at work, and what parts of my job are energizing or not. Corporate comedy has also allowed us to realize that imposter syndrome is so widespread and we shouldn't let it get to us."

: “I’m in my mid-20s and even I have seen a shift in workplace culture. The power of social media—even content creators giving [more straightforward] work advice—has provided so much value to all of us. Traditionally, for example, people say you should stay at a company for 15 to 20 years, but now we see the best way to increase your salary is to go to a new company every few years. Especially with inflation and the smallness of cost-of-living raises; a lot of people wouldn’t have known that before Tiktok and Instagram. It’s definitely not something I expected to learn when I downloaded an entertainment app.”

Work culture is in its pay transparency era—so how much does the influencer hustle actually pay off?

: “I never thought I’d get paid for anything I make online. The Tiktok creator fund is like pennies per video, but brands are definitely starting to invest more in partnerships. I’ve noticed they’re more comfortable spending on Instagram ads versus ads on Tiktok, but I think that’s quickly changing. I created my own media kit after I got a certain amount of requests. That helps in terms of looking really professional, and I have a group of people in the same community and we can say, ‘What do you think of this, what did you do for them,’ etc. I feel a lot more comfortable going into those conversations now.”

: “As an actor and comedian, it helps with visibility. TikTok has made me some cool networking connections, like how [my videos] exposed me to my manager. It hasn’t been completely life-changing, but it’s been positive for my career so I’m really grateful. I’ve also been able to take occasional brand deals—I just used the money to help pay for the tail end of my graduate degree.”

: “I’m not there yet but sure, I would love to explore doing this full-time if I could live off of it. I like the video editing, the creative aspect. A lot of people on TikTok have had a really big social following on another platform like Instagram first, which helps. I’ve been growing my Reels presence, but the brands I’ve worked with have been mostly interested in TikTok.”

Any advice for creators hoping to make it to FYPs everywhere?

: “I would say, if anyone is thinking about starting an account, just go for it. You never know what’s going to happen. I got a lot of encouragement from other content creators. It’s a lot easier to go viral than you might think, and there are real opportunities out there, especially as brands are figuring out how to participate and capitalize on the app.”

I’m a TikTok “Work Life” Influencer

As the “vibe shift” supposedly hurtles our way, there’s a lot of collective hand-wringing over what to do with the office these days. We too are daydreaming about how favored pre-’demic work spaces—open floor plans, flexible seating, et al.—may, and are already starting to, shape shift. For lack of a crystal ball (keeping up with our 

 is as far as we can promise the future), we’re rifling through the beige metal filing cabinets of what’s come before.


From the soulless sleek of traditional corporate HQs to the dusty charm of analog hardware, pop culture offers a stocked snack drawer of thrillingly regressive 

. In a moment when Y2K-style micro mini skirts are back in the cultural consciousness, and there’s an outcry for low-tech, “

” experiences, nostalgic workplace design satiates the same craving for comfort through familiarity. Here are a few such movie and TV offices that live commercial-rent free in our heads—even when the movie/show makes us want to walk out carrying our stapler, bobblehead, and philodendron in a cardboard box.

On top of the dream cast of Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda, and Lily Tomlin, 

 was radical (albeit in slapstick fashion) when it came out in 1980. Fed up with their sexist bigot of a boss, the trio of office workers kidnap him and implement a (still!) 

. From a visual aspect, it’s the now-absurd scale of the staff’s office supplies that has us reaching to connect the solid weight of a 40-pound electric typewriter to the film’s theme of worker solidarity.

 fantasize about snapping the rings of an oversized plastic binder closed, to chilling effect? If you haven’t spun your desk chair around while on the phone, thus imprisoning yourself in the springy cord, does “making it” even matter? In another scene, the mammoth, quarter-fed vending machine is an emblem of work iconography that feels surprisingly sentimental. Stop us before we romanticize needing a notebook-sized calculator to do simple math.

The real star of Netflix’s series chronicling the meteoric rise (and subsequent fall) of Roy Halston Fenwick is, of course, the designer’s late ’70s office that soared 21 floors above Fifth Avenue. Drenched in saturated vermilion, the outlandishly glamorous office centered the sofa (wall-to-wall modular sectionals, that is) long before WeWork was even a cursed seedling of an idea.

Meanwhile, the floor-to-ceiling windows are what we dreamed of in our last cubicle job, where we’d pop up like groundhogs to see if it was nighttime, or snowing. There 

 some hints of actual work in the 12,000 square foot space—a few chic desks dressed with orchids and pin-up boards filled with design sketches. But the walls of mirrors and lacquer furniture mostly synced vibes-wise with Halston’s off-the-clock watering hole, a cute little spot called Studio 54. (The sports bar you went to for Bill in payroll’s goodbye drinks was cool, though.)

We’re not oblivious to the other psychotically red office Netflix has implanted into our media chips lately, but with all due respect to 

for best old school-leaning print-pub office. (*It has to be said that sitting in 

’s Scriberia, where seemingly no one has their own deadlines to worry about, seems like paradise for those of us who would very much like to be left alone.)

While their boss is an egotistical has-been and they presumably make no money, Annie (Aidy Bryant) and her coworkers at the local alternative paper get to work in a sprawling, peak Portland warehouse-turned-newsroom. We’ve heard East Coast media folks are still trying to verify whether its enormity and wide-open flow is a factual possibility. Reporting does suggest that the deliciously stagnant stacks of paper, hodgepodge of sexless chairs, and requisite fluorescent lighting (an insult to the wall of stained glass windows, because workplace logic) all track. Also, our new platform is proliferating cork boards again.

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